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A Weekend of PrideSeptember 28, 2008

Posted by Matteo Fabiano in : Miscellaneous , add a comment

Maltese Falcon - FlickrAn interesting coincidence this weekend in San Francisco. Two big events, two celebrations of the fruit of human ingenuity, creativity and technology. Both are the result of the vision of Italian minds.

After 8 years or renovation the new California Academy of Sciences, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, opened its door to awe thousands of visitors with its innovative architecture and its spectacular exhibits.

At 2 pm on Saturday, the 289-foot Maltese Falcon, the largest private sail-propelled yacht in the world, designed by Italian shipyard Perini Navi, made its entrance into the San Francisco Bay through the Golden Gate, sporting its beautiful computer-controlled sail system.

Things to be proud of.

How to make it easy for people to help youJune 28, 2008

Posted by Matteo Fabiano in : Management, tips , 1 comment so far

Because of my work, my board role at an international business association, and my alum status from a European business school, I often receive or come across career/bizdev help requests from European and, though less frequently, Asian professionals, students and companies. At the risk of insulting someone, I’d like to offer some advice to the many non-Americans friends out there.

More often than not, the typical request that lands on my desktop goes something like this :

Dear Sir/Madam,
My names is ____________. I am a student/manager/entrepreneur/professor/engineer and I have created/studied/developed/built/designed/launched this beautiful piece of product/research/technology/service. I am looking for a job/partner/internship/customer/investor. Here’s a brochure/patent/website/
If you think this is interesting and you can help please reply. Thank you.
Sincerely,
______________

I am oversimplifying to make a point here. The point being that it is near to IMPOSSIBLE to do anythng meaningful with this request! If I am to help I need to:

So, before you ask for help, check your script against these simple rules:

  1. Tell what you do. Do you explain in a two line paragraph who you are or what your company does, what you top expertise is, your top achievements and skills. If not, write them down. In two lines.

  2. Tell what you want. Do you explain exactly what company you want to work for or with? Who you want to connect with? Be specific and succint. Limit your targets to one industry, one function, three companies. Give names and specifics.

  3. Make it easy to help you. Share all your contact information in a way that makes it easy to forward your request. Your Linkedin or Xing profile, your cell phone, Skype name, Twitter account, you name it. Those are formidable promotional tools. Include a one-paragraph, plain text description of your background, company or product. Something that can be easily pasted on an introduction email.

I have been there. I know how it feels when so many opportunities are in front of you. The temptation to “stay broad”, avoid specifics is strong, least you miss on the “dream job” or that “killer deal”… In the end the friction caused by a poorly focused request will cost you more than the value of any option you keep open.

Y-Combinator Startup School VideosApril 30, 2008

Posted by Matteo Fabiano in : Innovation, Management, Technology , add a comment

Once a year, Y-Combinator holds Startup School, its “annual free conference for hackers interested in startups.” This year’s videos from speakers like Jeff Bezos, Marc Andreessen and Peter Norvig among others are available online here: http://omnisio.com/startupschool08/

Recommended to any startup entrepreneur.

Tips from personal experienceApril 3, 2008

Posted by Matteo Fabiano in : BAIA, Events, International Business, Management , add a comment

During the recent Mind the Bridge 08 series of events in San Francisco, I had the pleasure to meet the great finalist companies and their representatives. It was humbling to be part of the roster of presenters with Giacomo Marini, Vittorio Viarengo and the other speakers. Here are my slides from the day. I posted my two cents on doing business in the US from an Italian perspective on Slideshare.

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A Silicon MindJanuary 7, 2008

Posted by Matteo Fabiano in : BAIA, Innovation, International Business , add a comment

Following an extensive trip in California and other parts of the country, LA7, a major Italian television broadcaster, has produced a reportage that is now available online. A sweeping view of the opportunities, challenges and motivations of Italian entrepreneurs and professionals in Silicon Valley, including startups, BAIA, SVIEC, Google, Stanford, Tim Draper, John Hennessy,… Interviews and reportage by Frediano Finucci and Damiano Ficoneri, LA7 News.

Note: the video is in Italian.

Bambi Francisco interviews Your Truman ShowDecember 18, 2007

Posted by Matteo Fabiano in : Business Model, Innovation, Projects, Technology , add a comment

I headed down to Vator’s studio in October for an interview with Bambi Francisco. I had been looking forward to meeting Bambi and enjoyed the meeting very much. Bambi and her team rock!

It took a few weeks, but the video is now available on vator.tv.